Asperger’s syndrome, also known as Asperger’s disorder is referred to by some people as a higher-functioning form of autism. This mental disorder is on the autism spectrum and is a pervasive developmental disorder.
There is impairment in social, work and school environments. People with Asperger’s syndrome can be awkward in social situations and enjoy and participate in only limited activities and behavior. Unlike autism, people with asperger’s disorder don’t have any major developmental issues relating to language and cognition.
Men are diagnosed with Asperger’s disorder more often than women. Symptoms include inability to use nonverbal behaviors successfully, like eye-to-eye contact, difficulty in forming age-appropriate peer relationships, social withdrawal, no interest in making friends, and lacking obvious social and emotional reactions.
The cause is unknown, but could be the result of abnormal brain function and could have a genetic link.